After removing trees, the leftover stump creates problems beyond being visually unappealing. The stump creates problems affecting how you use your yard, your safety, and the entire aesthetic appeal of your home. At Somerville Tree Masters, we specialize in both stump grinding and removal to completely eliminate all stump sizes. Our professional service will turn a problem spot in your yard into an open and usable area again.
Our high-quality stump grinding equipment allows for the grinding down of stumps below grade level, allowing you to once again utilize your yard for gardening, construction, etc., creating a safe and clean outdoor living area. Each of our customers’ stump situations is different. Some of our clients want to remove their stumps right away so they can complete their landscaping projects, while others in the Somerville area will require us to remove their stumps due to safety concerns within their yard, or to prepare their property to be sold. No matter why you need us to remove your unwanted stumps, we will do it professionally and leave your property ready for the future. I am not going to answer any questions, only rephrase this text. Please let me rephrase this text again.
Risk of Tripping Over a Stump: Young children running through a yard containing a large tree stump are at a great risk of tripping and falling over the stump. This risk increases if there is a layer of grass or mulch covering the stump, and also if one uses a mower or weed eater close to the stump, as these items could catch on the stump or roots and cause one to trip or lose control of the equipment.
Attracting Pests: As a tree stump begins to rot, it will attract many different types of insects (termites, carpenter ants, beetles, and other wood-boring insects). Once these insects get into a stump, they can easily migrate to nearby trees, wood structures, and even into homes. In addition to attracting insects, tree stumps provide a haven for rodents seeking shelter.
Growing Fungi and Diseases: Tree stumps are a perfect breeding ground for fungi and tree diseases. When a tree stump rots, it provides the ideal conditions for these organisms to reproduce. As a result, they can easily spread to surrounding trees, damaging your landscape. Some fungi produce mushrooms that are toxic to pets and children. In addition, as the stump decays, it produces unpleasant odors.
Shooting Sprouts From the Roots of a Tree Stump: After removing a tree, it is common to see new shoots growing from the roots of the stump. These shoots take nutrients from the roots and make it extremely difficult to completely remove the stump at a future date. To prevent this unwanted growth, a homeowner must continually cut back new shoots.
Obstacles for Landscaping: A tree stump occupies valuable space in your yard, limiting the options available to you when performing landscaping projects such as installing a lawn, building a patio or deck, or providing a play area for children. In areas like Somerville, where outside space is generally limited, reclaiming lost space is very important.
Reduced Property Values: Visible tree stumps in a yard decrease the total property value and curb appeal of a home. It suggests that the property may not be well-maintained and could give potential buyers reason to believe that there may be other maintenance problems.
Increased Lawn Care Difficulty: It is difficult and time-consuming to mow around a tree stump. Due to the need to carefully navigate around a stump, portions of the lawn may be missed, and lawnmowers may be damaged, adding to the amount of time and money spent maintaining a lawn.
We have an array of commercial-grade stump grinders available to tackle all types of stumps (both large and located in remote areas) within the Somerville area:
Large Diameter Stump Grinders: No matter how big the stump, our heavy-duty grinders have the horsepower to take it down. The heavy-duty grinders also come equipped with large diameter cutting wheels that allow them to grind stumps down to three to four feet below grade.
Compact Stump Grinders: Because many of the homes in Somerville have very small side yards and/or narrow driveways, we use compact stump grinders to access those hard-to-reach areas. Our compact grinders can be taken into a smaller yard and do not need to damage your existing landscape to get to a stump.
Cutting Teeth Customizations: We customize the cutting teeth configuration for each type of wood (deciduous vs. coniferous) and the condition of the stump. Therefore, whether we’re grinding out a soft deciduous stump or an extremely dense evergreen stump, we will provide you with a clean and efficient removal process.
Methods of Grinding:
Deep Grinding: Normally, our standard deep grinding process will remove a stump approximately 6-12 inches below grade. However, if you require a deeper grind for a construction or replanting project, we can grind at depths of up to 18 inches or more.
Surface Root Removal: Removing surface roots that radiate from the base of the stump is part of what we do. This will eliminate potential tripping hazards and prepare your soil for new plantings or construction.
Multiple Stumps: For homeowners who have multiple stumps, we will plan and optimize the order of stump removal to minimize the time spent on your property and still provide the highest quality service possible.


Full Root Destruction Using the Most Aggressive Removal Methods Possible: We will remove the stump so deeply that there is no chance of regrowth. In doing this, we are removing all of the nutrients needed for the sprout to grow back from the core of the tree.
No Impact on Other Parts of Your Yard Through Careful and Precise Operations: All of our operators work closely with their team members to utilize protective barriers (shields) and operate on “turf friendly” tracks to preserve your lawn and nearby garden beds. We do everything possible to be exact when removing the stump, which minimizes the potential for the stump removal to affect anything else in your yard except the stump itself.
Dispose of the Ground Wood Chip Material by Providing the Option to Either Leave Them for Use as Mulch in Your Flower Beds or Haul Away All the Ground Wood Material: We allow you to decide how you would like to dispose of the ground wood chip material. If you want us to remove all of the ground wood material, we can provide that service and haul it away for you. When completed, you will have a clean area ready for sod or seed.
Remove Visible and Accessible Roots When Necessary: Not only do we remove the stump, but we can also find and remove the most prominent and accessible roots that may have extended across your yard. This will help prevent damage to your lawn mower and allow you to create an even surface for walkways or future construction projects.
Ability to Access Difficult Areas of Your Property: The majority of our equipment is built to maneuver into very tight spaces and navigate around the obstacles found in most urban yards. Regardless of whether the stump is located in a small yard, hidden behind a historic fence, or in some other location that makes it difficult to get to, we have the equipment necessary to remove the stump from your property.
There is no specific season for stump grinding. However, there are a few things to think about before you schedule your service.
Right After We Remove Your Tree: Many customers prefer to have us grind their stumps right after we remove their trees (or during the tree removal itself). This way, you will not need to schedule another appointment, and you will be able to replant that area with new grass, flowers, or shrubs without having to wait.
Waiting to Have Us Remove Your Stump: Many customers choose to remove the stumps from the area where they previously had a tree removed weeks or even months later. Although this may work for you, remember that stumps create ideal habitats for pests and can sprout new growth in no time. Therefore, the sooner the stump is removed, the less chance you will have of pest problems or new growth.
Seasonal Considerations: As mentioned above, there are no seasonal restrictions for stump grinding in MA. In fact, the cold winter ground can help protect your lawn from damage caused by the weight of the equipment needed to grind your stump. Springtime has some challenges due to the wet ground; however, we grind stumps all year round. Typically, summer and fall offer the best conditions for stump grinding as the ground is firm and dry.
Grinding Your Stumps Before Starting Any Hardscape or Landscaping Project: For your own convenience, it is always best to remove your stumps before beginning any hardscaping project, such as building a patio, walkway, or garden bed. By doing so, you will be sure you have a clean, flat surface to work on, and you will avoid any interference from your previous trees’ roots in your new hardscape or landscape design.
Grinding Your Stumps Before Listing Your Property: If you are looking to sell your home in the competitive Somerville real estate market, grinding your stumps is a smart thing to do. A clean, well-maintained yard takes a much nicer photo than one with unsightly stumps and will give potential buyers peace of mind that they will not have to worry about future maintenance costs or property neglect.
